Studio couch



A. KRAKAUER STUDIO 00005 May 31, 1938;

Filed Dec. 7, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l l N V E N TO R Akraham Hralmuer BY I' IA'IZORNEY A. KRAKAUER STUDIO COUCH May 31, 1938.

Filed Dec. '7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTOR EY 74 .llbz 'abamKralrauer Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE KayManufacturing Corporation, Brooklyn,

N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application December 7, 1934, SerialNo. 756,411

8 Claims.

This invention relates to studio couches or beds and particularly, tothat type wherein a pair of bed frames, one stationary and one movable,may be telescoped into each other or withdrawn from their telescopedpositions and separated to form a double bed or separate twin beds.

Heretofore, the frames have been customarily connected detachably by aso called stabilizer consisting of a pair of long crossed arms pivotedtogether at their intersections and also pivoted at their ends to therespective frames. These stabilizers serve as a guide to permit theframes to be moved relatively and in a direction transverse of theframes intocollapsed and extended positions.

Such stabilizers, however, require a considerable amount of material,are expensive to manufacture and are not fully efiicient in operation,having various disadvantages which need not here be gone into.

My invention contemplates the provision of means having all thefunctions and advantages of the stabilizers above-mentioned but none oftheir disadvantages, being adapted for economical manufacture andnecessitating the use of little material and labor.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means for guiding theframes of a studio couch or bed into and out of their telescopedpositions and maintaining them in parallel relationship without dangerof jamming the frames by permitting them to twist about.

My invention further contemplates the provision of one-piece detachableconnecting and guide means for the framespermitting complete separationof the frames and also serving to limit the relative movement of theframes in either direction and to absorb the shock incident to the 40stopping of the movement;

My invention further contemplates the provision of comparativelyinexpensive but eflicient guide means for permitting the arrangement ofthe frames in slightly spaced relation in their extended positions,which means is adapted to be used in connection with bed frames of any.type such as frames made of wood or metal or both.

The various objects of my invention will be clear from the descriptionwhich follows, and from the drawings, in which,

1 is a fragmentary perspective View of one end of a studio couchembodying my invention, it being understood that the other end thereofis identical with that end shown.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, showing in modified form of mynew guide means, wherein the larger bed frame is the movable one.

Fig. 6 is a similar section showing another modified form of theconnecting guide member.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of another modified form of the same;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view, similar to Fig. 2, of another modified formof my invention wherein the hook-receiving slot of one of the frames ismade in a cross rail instead of in the leg of th bed.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section, similar to Fig. 6, of another modifiedform of my invention wherein a swivelling eye replaces the slot in theleg.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of another modified form of the same wherein abracket or lug is substituted for the slot.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of another modified form of my inventionwherein a fiat guide bar is used and wherein the spring part of the hookuide is omitted.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the same.

Fig. 13 is a View similar to Fig. 11 of another modified form of myinvention wherein the connecting member is slotted.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of another modified form of my inventionsimilar to Fig. 10, but wherein only one lug is provided.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary end elevation of another modified form of myinvention wherein the slot in the leg of the movable frame is replacedby a differently formed opening.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section of another form of my invention whereinthe connecting member is formed of fiat stock.

Fig. 17 is a vertical section of the same.

As has been above indicated, it will be understood that my invention isapplicable to all types of frames, whether made in whole or in part ofwood or of metal or of both, and whether the legs thereof are made ofwood or of metal.

In any case, however, and in all of the modifications herein illustratedand in others which will be obvious to those skilled in the art andmember and frame connector.

hence which need not be shown in detail nor described, my improved guidemeans consists of a pair of guide bars or rods fixed to and extendingtransversely across the relatively fixed frame, one at each end of thefixed frame, and a connecting member sliding on each bar or rod andengaging the other frame in such a manner as to permit an additionalextra motion at the beginning or end of the extending or telescopingstroke of the movable frame.

The connecting member is in all cases so con.- structed as to be readilydetached from the movable frame.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, I have there shown therelatively fixed frame I0 and the relatively movable frame II, it beingunderstood that said frames are preferably rectangular in shape as isusual and are each provided with suitable legs such as I2, I2, and I3,I3 respectively, at each of the corners of the respective frames. Itwill also be understood that preferably one of the frames as' H islowerthan the other frame as II], and that it is immaterial which of saidframes is movable. That is, the casters I4 being provided on the legsI3, the frame II is movable and the frame I0 is relatively fixed. If,however, the casters I4 are provided on the legs I 2, then the frame I0would be movable and the frame II would be fixed relatively to thefloor.

As shown, the end of the. frame I9 is formed from an angle bar'bent toprovide the end rail I5 and the legs I2, I2, it being understood thatboth ends of the frame are substantially identical, andthat the framemaybe formed in any other desirable manner. The opposed end rails I5 areconnected by the longitudinal angles I6, each of said angles forming oneside of the frame. Similarly, the frame I I is formed from an angle bentto provide the end rail I1 and the legs I3, I3, the rails thus formedbeing connected by the longitudinal side angles I8. It will beunderstood, however, that the frames may be formed in any manner and ofany material provided that they are made of such size as to length andheight that one of the frames may be telescoped into the other and thatthe relatively fixed frame as I0 is provided with transversely extendingguide bars or rods.

As shown, the guide bar I9 is made in the form of a rod extending acrosseach end' of the frame and suitably secured at its ends to the legs I2and I2. Mounted for sliding movement on the bar I9 is the connectingmember'Zfi in-the form of a combined guide hook, bumper, control In theform now being described, said member 20 is made of a single piece ofwire, and comprises the spring portion 2| consisting of a plurality ofturns, coils or loops, the inner diameter of each of which is greaterthan the diameter of the bar I9 whereby the coil may slide easily alongsaid bar and yield under stress.

Extending preferably from the last turn of the spring portion 2I is thecross portion 22, from the inner extremity 23 of which is bent thetransversely extending arm 24. Said arm 24 is arranged in inwardlyspaced and substantially parallel relation to the bar I9, and terminatesin the downwardly extending hook 25 which is preferably given a slightbias, bend or inclination toward the bar I9, (see Fig. 4) to retain itin place and to enable it to be readily withdrawn from the movableframe. The portions 24- and 25 are passed through the slot 26 in the legI3 of the movable frame II, it being understood that the entireconnecting member 20 together with the hook may be swung about the barI9 as a pivot (Fig. 4) to permit its ready insertion into and withdrawalfrom the slot 26.

It being assumed that the frame II is the movable frame, said frames areshown in their telescoped position in Figs. 1 and 2. To extend theframes, the frame II need merely be drawn toward the right, as viewed inFig. 1, and down- Wardly as viewed in Fig. 2, away from the relativelyfixed frame I0. During this movement, the arm 24 may first pass throughthe slot 26 until the leg I3 engages the hook 25 depending on thefriction developed, whereafter continued movement of the frame II drawsthe connecting member with it along the bar I9 until the spring portion2i engages the other leg I2 as shown in the dotted line position of theparts indicated in Fig. 2. Or the connecting member may move with theframe II as a unit until stopped by the leg I2, after which the frame IImay continue to move relatively to the member 20 until the hook 25reaches the leg.

In this position of the parts, a space as 21 is left between the framesI0 and II' whereby access to the arm 24 may readily be had to permitremoval of the hooks 25 from the slots 26 and thereby to detach theframes I9 and I I from each other.

It will be noted that the spring portion 2I when it strikes the leg I2,at the end of the withdrawing or extending movement of the frames,yields sufficient to absorb the shock due to the impact, and thoughhalting the separating movement of the frames, does so without unduejarring. It will further be noted that even though the frame I I may bepulled out by a force exerted at one of the extreme ends thereof with aconsequent tendency to twist the frames intorelative angularrelationship, the portion 2I of the connecting member cannot bind on thebar I9, and the frames are maintained in parallel position throughoutthe entire relative movement thereof regardless of the inexpertness orlack of skill of the person using the bed frames. Similarly, when theframes are collapsed from their withdrawn positions into theirtelescoped positions, an unskillful operator cannot jam the framestogether since the. frames tend to assume parallel. positions eventhough the moving force is exerted atone end of the moving frame, andthereby initially disposes said frames at an angle relatively to eachother. During the telescoping movement, the frame II first movesalongthe arm 24 of the connecting member until the leg I3 strikes the portion22, whereafter the entire connecting member moves as a unit with theframe toward the collapsed position shown by the full lines of Figs. 1and 2. At the end of the collapsing movement, the spring portion 2|functions to absorb the shock of impact against the leg I2.

It willbe understood that the connecting memher as well as the guide barmay be made in a great variety of different ways, and that the slot orits equivalent receiving the connecting member may also be made in agreat number of different ways. I have shown in what follows a few ofthe different constructions possible, which constructions, as well asothers not shown, will now appear obvious to those skilled in the art.

For example, I have shown in Fig. 5, a modification of the connectingmember 20 designed for operation when the larger or outer bed frame IIIis movable and the smaller or inner frame II is relatively fixed. Inthat case, the guide bar I9 is secured to the legs |3, |3' of the frameI I. The connecting member 21 is slidably mounted on the bar l9 and issuitably shaped between the arm 24 and the spring portion 2| to enterthe slot 28 in the movable frame leg l2, and to clear the legs I3, l3.

In Fig. 6, I have shown the spring portion limited to a single turn orloop 30.

In Fig. 7, I have shown a pair of spaced loops 3| and '32 madeintegrally with the remainder of the connecting member and of a singlepiece of wire. By this construction, the loops 3| and 32 may be spacedapart a sufficient distance to better preserve the parallel relationshipof the frames in their relative movements andto avoid undue stress onthe arm 24 which might tend to distort the arm.

In Fig. 8, I have shown the slot 35 made in the upper flange 36 of theend rail H. In this form of my invention, detachment of the hook 25 fromthe slot is made comparatively easy since the arm 24 is arranged on topof the frame The cross bar portion 31 extending between the springportion 2| and the portion 24 may be inclined upwardly or downwardly asmay be found necessary depending on the relative heights of the bar l9and the top flange of the rail II. In this form, I prefer to incline thearm 24 slightly out of parallelism to the bar l9, whereby the hook 25always tends to remain in the slot 35, and the pressure on the arm 24 ismore readily transmitted to the spring portion 2|. Distortion. of thearm 24 and jamming are thereby prevented.

In Fig. 9, I have shown the arm 24 passing through the eye 4!], whicheye is of sufficient diameter to permit the withdrawal therethrough ofthe hook 25. The eye 40 is provided with an extension or shank 4| whichis loosely riveted or otherwise secured as by means of the head 42 in anaperture in the leg l3. The eye 40 therefore may be rotated in theaperture when desired, to permit the removal of the hook.

As shown in Fig. 10, the arm 24 rests in the groove or open space 43formed by the lug 44. Said lug is pressed outwardly from the material ofthe leg l3 and bent upwardly to form the groove 43 whereby the arm 24may slide in said groove but may be readily lifted therefrom when theframes l0 and. are to be completely de tached.

In Figs. 11 and 12, I have shown the guide bar 45 of rectangularcross-section. The connecting member 46 may be made of a similar bar ifdesired, resting in the groove 43 formed by the lug 44. At one end, thelug 41 is bent at right angles to the arm 46 and is provided with asuitable groove as 49 for the reception of the guide bar 45. A secondsmaller lug as 50 is bent from the material of the arm 48 and issimilarly provided with a groove for the reception of part of the bar45. The arm 46 may readily be lifted from the groove 43 and therebydisengaged from the lug 44 and from the frame N, there being sufficientplay or lost motion in the parts for that purpose. The bent hook end 5|,however, engages the lug 44 in the extended positions of the frames andthereby acts as a stop to limit normally, the separating movement of theframes.

In Fig. 13, I have shown the connecting member as consisting of a rightangle member 52, one arm 53 of which is provided with a suitable grooveinto which is inserted the upper edge portion of the guide bar 45. Theother leg 54 of the guide hook is provided with a slot 55 through whichis passed the shank of the rivet or screw 56. In this construction, therivet shank may slide in the slot 54 to give the additional motiondesired and to limit the separating and telescoping movement of theframes in either direction.

As shown in Fig. 14, the arm 6| of the connecting member 6|] may rest inthe groove 43 of the lug 44 or may be otherwise detachably held to theleg I3 as hereinbefore indicated, while the shorter arm of saidconnecting member may be suitably apertured to receive the guide rod 62and to turn thereon easily to permit the removal of the connectingmember from the lug 44.

In Fig. 15, I have shown the hook 25 inserted through an opening 63 inone flange of the leg l3. Said opening is enlarged by pressing thematerial 64 above the opening inwardly in one direction and the material65 below the opening outwardly or in the other direction, thereby topermit the ready insertion or withdrawal of said hook from the leg.

Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, I have there shown the connecting member10 made of a single piece of sheet metal of Z-shaped form. The extremityII of the arm i2 is bent into cylindrical form about the rod l9 andslides thereon. The extremity E3 of the arm 14 is bent downwardly andenters the slot 15 in the upper flange of the rail IT. This constructionmay be used where more rigidity and strength is required, thoughsomewhat more costly than the wire form of connectors.

Since many other ways of constructing the connecting member and theguide bar and of connecting the hook to the guide-bar and to the legwill be obvious to those skilled in the art, no further illustration ordescription thereof is deemed necessary.

In any case, it will be seen that I have provided an efficient thoughinexpensive construction whereby the bed frames are guided in such amanner as to automatically maintain themselves in parallel relationduring the relative movement thereof into and out of the telescopedpositions thereof, that the guidingparts are so constructed as to permitthe bed frames to be spaced apart in their proper operative positionsand to permit them to be completely detached readily and simply ifdesired.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a structure which thoughsimple and inexpensive, is well adapted to meet the severe requirementsof practical use.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of myinvention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto butintend to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the stateof the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bed including a pair of bed frames, one relatively fixed, andthe other relatively movable in one direction into a position whereinone of the frames is underneath the other and in the other directioninto a position wherein the frames are alongside of each other andslightly spaced apart transversely, an elongated guide member extendingacross the width of the fixed frame at each end thereof, a one-piececonnecting member slidably mounted on and movable throughout the lengthof each of the guide members, and movable relatively to the movableframe, cooperating connecting means on the connecting member and on oneof said frames whereby the connecting member may be disconnected fromFor the frame by a lifting movement to completely free said frames ofany connection with each other, stop means on the movable frame, and anelongated part on the connecting member adapted to engage said stopmeans and thereby to limit the relative movement of the connectingmember and the movable frame, and after engagement with the stop meansto cause the connecting member to move as a unit with the movable frame,and means for supporting said frames independently of each other and ofsaid connecting means.

2. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable bed frames, atransverse guide bar at each end of one of the frames, and a slidablemember mounted on each of the bars and movable for a limited distancerelatively to the other frame and detachably connected thereto, and-alsomovable with said other frame, said member comprising a portion slidableon the bar, an elongated portion movably connectedto said other frameand spaced from the slidable portion, a cross portion connecting theslidable and elongated portions and cooperating stop means on theelongated portion and on said other frame.

3. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable bed frames, atransversely arranged guide rod on one of the frames, the other of theframes having a slot therein, and a wire member of a single piece ofmaterial provided with a plurality of turns loosely mounted on the guiderod, said member having a portion spaced from said turns and enteringthe slot of the other frame.

4. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable bed frames, one ofsaid frames having a slot therein, a guide member fixed to the other ofthe frames, and a connecting member having a shock-absorbing and guidingportion coiled about the guide member and having another portionsubstantially parallel to the guide member and passing through the slotof said one of the frames and terminating in a hook portion.

5. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable bed frames, a guidemember fixed to and extending across one of said frames, and aconnecting member connecting said frames, the other of said frames beingprovided with means for slidably receiving a portion of the connectingmember, said connecting member having another portion thereof coiledabout and arranged in slidable engagement with the guide member.

6. The combination with a pair of bed frames, one of said frames beingsmaller than the other and being slidable into and out of the largerframe, of means detachably connected to the smaller frame formaintaining said frames in parallel relation during the movement of thesmaller frame, and for limiting the movement of the smaller frame ineither direction, said means including a guide bar, an elongated elementof a single piece of material having a terminal portion slidable on andalong the entire length of the guide bar, and means for detachablyconnecting the element to the smaller frame, said connecting means beingprovided with an opening through which part of said element movesindependently of the sliding movement of the element along the guidebar.

7. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable frames, atransversely arranged guide member on one of the frames, the other ofthe frames having a slot therein, and a connecting member of a singlepiece of material terminating at one end in a cushioning portionslidably mounted on the guide rod and having its other end removablyinserted into said slot.

8. In a bed including a pair of relatively movable and independentlysupported bed frames, a pair of parallel spaced transverse guide memberson and extending throughout the width of one of the frames, and a pairof frame-connecting members, the other of said frames having an openingtherein of less length than that of said members, said members eachhaving a portion detachably and slidably inserted into said opening andhaving another portion bent into spaced relation to the first mentionedportion and embracing one of the guide members and slidable along theentire length of the guide member and thereby guiding the frames intheir relative movement, said members when removed from said opening,freeing said frames from any connection with each other and therebydisconnecting said frames for use as separate beds.

ABRAHAM KRAKAUER.

